Beryllium-containing polymeric compositions



United States Patent Ofi ice 3,146,222 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 3,146,222 BERYLLIUM-CONTAINING POLYMERIC COMPOSITIONS Gaetano F. DAlelio, South Bend, Ind., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Dal Mon Research Co.,

Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Sept. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 141,014 19 Claims. (Cl. '26091.1)

This invention relates to polymerscontaining beryllium. This application is a joint continuation-in-part of applicants copending applications Serial Numbers 751,107, filed July 28, 1958, now abandoned, 761,484, filed September 17, 1958, now abandoned, and 762,227, filed September 22, 1958, now abandoned.

Because of the high energy content of such compounds, beryllium compounds having beryllium to carbon bonds, such as beryllium alkyls, should be useful as fuel compositions. However, because of their tendency to ignite spontaneously upon exposure to air, and the highly reactive nature of these compounds, the use of beryllium alkyls involves considerable danger and necessitates various precautionary steps. Moreover, since they are liquids, their use as propellant fuels for rockets, missiles, and related devices, has the drawback common to liquid fuels in that complicated containers and pumping devices are required, and the sloshing effect of the liquids in their containers causes shifting of weight which adversely affects directional control.

In accordance with the present invention, polymeric beryllium compounds have been discovered which have more easily controlled flammability and reactivity while still retaining high energy content. Such polymeric materials can be made in a solid state and thereby have the inherent advantages of solid fuels used for propelling purposes.

It has surprisingly been found that polyalkenyl ethers having a plurality of unsaturated groups therein, e.g., ethylenic and acetylenic groups, and monoacetylenic ethers, such as divinyl ether, propargyl ether, etc., as described more fully hereinafter and the beryllium hydrides, and/or hydrocarbon derivatives thereof, hereinafter referred to generally as beryllium hydride compounds, can be made to react in such a manner as to produce polymers having beryllium in the polymer chain and in relatively high proportions. The polymers produced according to this invention have a plurality of repeating units of the formula Be-Y in the polymer molecules wherein Y is a polyvalent radical having at least one ether group therein, the remainder of said radical being hydrocarbon, and having each of said valencies connected to a carbon atom in said hydrocarbon portion, and R represents hydrogen or hydrocarbon radical, the hydrocarbon radical preferably containing no more than about 24 carbon atoms. Preferably there are more than two such repeating units in each polymer molecule, advantageously more than 4.

The polyunsaturated ethers that can be used in the practice of this invention include those having at least one ether linkage between unsaturated groups. The bydrocarbon derivatives of the beryllium hydrides include those in which one or more, including all of the hydrogen of a beryllium hydride, is replaced by one or more hydrocarbon radicals, such as aliphatic, aromatic, cycloaliphatic radicals, including combinations thereof, such as aralkyl, alkaryl, cycloalkyl-aryl, aryl-cycloalkyl compounds, etc. The beryllium hydride compounds are reacted with the unsaturated ethers described herein (including those having substituents thereon which are nonreactive to said beryllium hydride compounds), having a plurality of ethylenic or acetylenic groups therein, or only one of said acetylenic groups therein.

Such compositions can be made in liquid or solid form, and can be converted to infusible forms. These polymeric compositions are useful as high energy fuels, either as a supplement or as a main component, and are particularly useful in the solid form for such purposes. Particularly useful infusible solid fuels can also be made by incorporating a solid or liquid oxidizing agent into the polymeric compositions of this invention while they are in a liquid or thermoplastic state, and then converting the polymer to a crosslinked, infusible condition.

Typical examples of the hydrides and hydrocarbon substituted hydrides of beryllium which can be used in the practice of this invention include, but are not limited to, the following: beryllium hydride, beryllium alkyl hydrides, such as methyl beryllium hydride, ethyl beryllium hydride, propyl beryllium hydride, butyl beryllium hydride, octyl beryllium hydride, nonyl beryllium hydride, styryl beryllium hydride, cyclohexyl beryllium hydride, phenyl beryllium hydride, dimethyl beryllium, diethyl beryllium, methyl ethyl beryllium, dipropyl beryllium, dibutyl beryllium, ethyl butyl beryllium, diamyl beryllium, dioctyl beryllium, distyryl beryllium, methyl phenyl beryllium, dicyclohexyl beryllium, ethyl cyclohexyl beryllium, dicyclopentyl beryllium, etc. These beryllium compounds, sometimes generally referred to hereinafter as beryllium hydride compounds, can be used as such or in various complex forms, such as complexes with ethers, tertiary amines, thioethers, etc.

The polymeric products of this invention range from viscous oils to solid thermoplastic or thermoset resins. Depending upon the particular starting materials, modifiers, and polymerization conditions, the polymers range in molecular weight from about 300 to 100,000 and higher.

Polymers of this invention derived from polyalkenyl ethers have a plurality of repeating units therein which can be represented by the formula BeY- in which Y is a polyvalent radical having an ether linkage between each two said valencies. Such polyvalent groups can be derived from a polyalkenyl ether compound having a plurality of ethylenic groups therein, and having the formula wherein R represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, and Z represents oxygen or a polyvalent group comprising hydrocarbon portions having at least one ether linkage between each two valencies. The hydrocarbon portions of R and Z can have attached thereto substituents which are non-reactive toward the beryllium hydride compound used in the preparation of the polymer. However, additional ethylenic groups can also be attached to R and Z through ether linkages.

While it is believed that each beryllium atom becomes attached to one of the carbon atoms of an ethylenic group, it is also possible that the beryllium migrates during or after the reaction between the beryllium hydride compound and the polyalkenyl compound, and becomes attached to another carbon atom of the polyalkenyl coma pound that gives a more stable derivative. Thus, the beryllium may actually be attached to one of the R groups, or to Z. For that reason, Y is represented as a polyvalent radical having the formula in which the specific carbon atoms to which the beryllium is attached are not specified.

Accordingly, the polymeric products can be represented by the formula:

R-(BeY-) BeR or Y can be replaced by the above formula for Y in which the actual points of attachment of the beryllium are not pinpointed, as follows:

or generally can be simplified, particularly when the ethylenic groups are vinyl or vinylidene groups, to

Infusible polymers can be obtained in the practice of this invention by using, together with the polyalkenyl ether, a hydrocarbon compound having three or more ethylenic groups therein, by using a polyalkenyl ether having a third alkenyl group therein, or by using, together with the beryllium hydride compound, a trivalent metal compound, such as the boron and aluminum hydrides and their hydrocarbon-substituted hydrides.

When compounds having three or more ethylenic groups are used, the crosslinking is efiected through another Y group, which can also be represented by the various formulas indicated above for Y. When a trivalent metal compound is used, together with the beryllium hydride compound, the crosslinkage can also be represented as a Y group which will be connected between polymer molecules through the trivalent metal atoms.

In the polymerization described herein, when conditions permit, the hydrocarbon group which is replaced by the polyalkenyl compound, generally escapes from the system as an olefin. In cases of closed systems, the buildup of pressure, or the reluctance of a radical such as phenyl toward olefin formation, can result in the attachment of the hydrocarbon group to the carbon atom of the ethylenic group, other than the one to which the beryllium is attached.

Various modifications of polymeric materials can be made, according to the practice of this invention, by adjusting the proportions of reactants and the conditions under which the materials are made to react. For example, the amount of crosslinking is controlled by the amount of compound having three or more ethylenic groups therein that is added, or the amount of trivalent metal compound that is added for that purpose. The selectivity, type of reaction, and product, can be controlled somewhat by selecting appropriate beryllium compounds, concentration thereof, polyalkenyl compound, and also by the use of certain amounts of monoalkenyl compounds.

For example, since the hydrogen in these beryllium compounds is generally more easily replaced than alkyl compounds, it is possible thereby to control somewhat the type and extent of reaction.

When it is desired to control the molecular weight of a linear polymer, or to put terminal carbon groups on a polymer chain, this can be accomplished by using a mono-olefin, such as ethylene, together with the polyalkenyl compound. The latter can also be effected by using a monoor di-substitnted beryllium, alone or together with unsubstituted beryllium hydride.

Some control over the type and extent of reaction can be effected by using beryllium hydride compounds having hydrocarbon groups of different sizes. It is some times desirable, also, that the hydrocarbon groups to be replaced by the polyalkenyl compound be of a smaller size than the polyalkenyl compound. This is particularly desirable where there is a displaced hydrocarbon group escaping as a byproduct olefin. In some cases, a polyalkenyl compound of higher boiling point than the resultant olefin permits escape of the olefin upon refluxing of the polyalkenyl compound, or upon maintaining the reaction temperature below that at which the polyalkenyl compound vaporizes to an undesirable extent. In some cases, particularly where the difference in volatility is not great, the olefin can be permitted to escape in a stream of the polyalkenyl compound passing through the system, or in a stream of inert gas with additional polyalkenyl compound being fed to the system. In cases where the polyalkenyl compound has a higher vapor pressure than any olefin that might be given olf as byproduct, a closed system can advantageously be used to favor the desired displacement.

The temperature conditions for the promotion of polymer formation, in accordance with the practice of this invention, vary in accordance with the reactivity of the reagents being used. When a beryllium hydride is being reacted with a polyalkenyl compound, a temperature in the range of 80 C. is generally suitable. When beryllium hydride compounds containing both hydrogen and hydrocarbon groups are used, the reaction can be controlled mainly to displace the hydrogen by keeping the temperature below C. When hydrocarbon groups are to be displaced from a beryllium hydride compound, a temperature of about 100-120 C. is preferred. Depending upon the decomposition temperature of the particular reagent, and the polymeric product, it is generally advantageous not to exceed a temperature of about C. When a mixture of a beryllium hydride and a beryllium hydride compound containing hydrocarbon groups is being used, it is generally desirable to maintain the appropriate temperature until most of the hydrogen has been displaced and then to raise the temperature to that more suitable for displacement of the hydrocarbon group. In some cases the temperature control can be facilitated by the use of an inert solvent, such as heptane, octane, benzene, toluene, xylene, etc., whose boiling point is close to the desired temperature.

The time required for polymer formation varies in accordance with the reactivity of the ethylenic groups in the polyalkenyl compound, the type of group to be displaced in the beryllium hydride compound, the temperature being used, and various other factors which favor the reaction, such as the use of metal catalysts, such as nickel, cobalt, etc., the removal of the byproduct olefin, etc. With respect to the last condition, an increase in concentration of such byproduct olefin promotes an equilibrium which competes with the progress of the polymer formation. Therefore, unless the olefin is permitted to escape, or it is absorbed by addition, this tends to slow down the polymerization. The polymerization proceeds most rapidly with vinyl groups in the polyalkenyl compound. Vinylidene groups also react rapidly when the second group attached to the doubly substituted carbon is relatively small. With larger groups in that position, longer reaction times and increased temperatures, but still below decomposition temperature, are desirable. Ethylenic groups having hydrocarbon groups attached to both the alpha and the beta carbon atoms are still less reactive than the vinylidene groups, and require longer reaction time even at the more favorable temperature conditions. The time will also vary in accordance with the degree of polymerization required. While the more active reagents can give polymers in even less time, many of the polymeric products of this invention can be produced at moderate temperatures in a matter of 12 to 48 hours. In some cases, such as with the nonreactive type of ethylenic groups, or when low temperatures, for example as low as 50 C., are used,

much longer reaction periods are desirable. In such cases, the reaction is continued until a solid product is obtained.

Polyalkenyl compounds that can be used in the practice of this invention include those having the formula wherein R and Z are as defined above. Typical polyalkenyl compounds that can be used in the practice of this invention include, but are not limited to, the following: divinyl ether, diallyl ether, vinyl allyl ether, propenyl vinyl ether, propenyl allyl ether, divinyl ether of resorcinol, divinyl ether of ethylene glycol, diallyl ether of ethylene glycol, divinyl ether of di-ethylene glycol, diisopropenyl ether, isopropenyl vinyl ether, isopropenyl allyl ether, isopropenyl butenyl ether, isopropenyl isoamylene ether, divinyloxy benzene, divinyloxy toluene, diallyl ether of resorcinol, diisobutenyl ether of hydroquinone, para-vinyloxy styrene, para-allyloxy styrene, triallyloxy benzene, tripropenyloxy benzene, etc.

While the foregoing discussion uses polyalkenyl ethers for illustration, the same rules also apply to the reaction of ether compounds having one acetylenic group therein, those having one acetylenic group with one or more ethylenic groups, and also those having a plurality of acetylenic groups. In such cases, the same conditions apply as described above except that two beryllium atoms can be added to the carbon atoms of the acetylenic group instead of one beryllium being added as with an ethylenic group. Typical acetylenic ethers that can be used in the practice of this invention include, but are not limited to, the following: vinyl-phenyl propargyl ether, vinyloxyphenyl acetylene, propargyl vinyl ether, dipropargyl ether, allyloxy-phenylacetylene, propargyl ethyl ether, propargyl phenyl ether, etc.

Also useful in the practice of this invention are polymers having ether groups therein and a plurality of unsaturated groups, e..g., ethylenic and acetylenic groups. Typical polymeric starting materials are polymers of the above listed polyunsaturated ether compounds in which a substantial number of the unsaturated groups therein remain unpolymerized. Preferred polymers of this type are linear polymers in which one of the unsaturated groups in the polyunsaturated ether monomer is polymerized to form a linear carbon chain which has a number of unsaturated groups attached to the linear carbon chain through the ether group of the original monomer compound.

Polymers having pendant vinyl, vinylidene or acetylenic groups are preferred in the practice of this invention. Typical polymers are those having repeating units of the following types:

Typical monoalkenyl modifiers that can be used in the practice of this invention include, but are not limited to, the following: vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl butyl ether, vinyl propyl ether, vinyl amyl ether, vinyl cyclohexyl, vinyl phenyl, vinyl tolyl, isopropenyl methyl ether, isopropenyl isopropyl ether, isopropenyl butyl ether, isopropenyl phenyl ether, isopropenyl amyl ether, isobutenyl ethyl ether, allyl methyl ether, allyl ethyl ether, allyl propyl ether, butenyl ethyl ether, butenyl propyl ether, pentenyl amyl ether, vinyl cycohexyl ether, vinyl cyclopentyl ether, para-vinyl anisole, allyl benzyl ether, vinyl benzyl ether, vinyl phenethyl ether, isopro penyl phenethyl ether, ethylene, propylene, butene-l, butene-Z hexene-l, hexene-Z t-butyl-ethylene, 2,4,4-trimethyl-l-pentene, 2,4,4-trimethyl pentene-Z, cyclopentene, cyclohexene, styrene, 1,1-diphenyl ethylene, vinyl cyclohexane, alpha-methyl-styrene, vinyl naphthalene, betamethyl styrene, allyl benzene, allyl cyclohexane, decenc1, decene-Z, decene-3, decene-S, dodecene-l, dodecene-Z, tetradecene-l, hexadecene-2, cyclopentene, etc.

Various methods of practicing the invention are illustrated by the following examples. These examples are intended merely to illustrate the invention and not in any sense to limit the manner in which the invention can be practiced. The parts and percentages recited therein, and also in the specification, unless specifically provided otherwise, refer to parts by weight and percentages by weight. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms polymer and polymeric are intended to include copolymers and copolymeric. Molecular weights given herein are Staudinger molecular weights.

EXAMPLE I A mixture of 67 parts of diethyl beryllium dissolved in parts of hexane is added to 162 parts of divinyloxy benzene and is heated in an atmosphere of nitrogen to boil oil? the hexane. The temperature is raised and maintained at 100 C. Ethylene is gradually evolved from the reaction mixture. After heating for 72 hours, the reaction mixture is cooled and a solid product is obtained. This is ground with an equal Weight of ammonium perchlorate. The resultant mixture burns vigorously when ignited and when tested for propellant thrust shows excellent thrust properties.

EXAMPLE II The procedure of Example I is repeated, except that in place of the divinyloxy benzene, a mixture of parts of divinyloxy benzene and 40 parts of trivinyloxy benzene is used. In this case, an infusible product is obtained, which, after grinding with an equal weight of ammonium perchlorate, shows vigorous burning properties when ignited, and excellent thrust properties.

In three additional tests, similar results are obtained, using in each case four parts of this polymer ground individually with six parts of ammonium nitrate, lithium perchlorate, and potassium perchlorate, respectively.

EXAMPLE III The procedure of Example I is repeated, using in place of the diethyl beryllium a mixture of 44 parts of diethyl beryllium, and 38 parts of triethyl aluminum. An infusible product is obtained which, when ground with an equal weight of ammonium perchlorate, burns vigorously upon ignition, and shows excellent thrust properties.

EXAMPLE IV The procedure of Example I is repeated using in place of the divinyloxy benzene, an equivalent weight of divinyl ether, omitting the hexane, and sealing the mixture under vacuum in a glass tube. The resultant solid product shows similar burning and thrust properties as for the product of Example I.

EXAMPLE V The procedure of Example IV is repeated with similar results, using 39 parts of ethyl beryllium hydride and 98 parts of diallyl ether.

EXAMPLE VI The following procedure is followed a number of times, using in each case a different mixture as indicated in Table I below. The number appearing before a particular compound in this table and in subsequent tables, indicates the number of parts by weight of that compound used. In each case the mixture is maintained under an atmos phere of nitrogen and the temperature is raised gradually over a period of several hours and then maintained at Table I 260 Divinyloxy toluene l Ethyl other 320 Divinyloxy diphcnyl 60 Dipropyl beryllium 46 Tripropyl boron 80 Diphenyl beryllium 120 Triphenyl aluminum 220 Distyryl beryllium 140 Digallslzglether of ethylene 20 Triallyl ether oiglyceriue 265 Dicyclohexylberyllium 250 Diisopropenyloxy benzene 60 Triisopropenyloxy benzene 250 Diallyloxy benzene 60 Triallyloxy benzene 160 Divinyloxy naphthalene 50 'lriallyloxy benzene 155 Dlbutyl beryllium 250 Di-(3-phenyl-propyl) beryllium EXAMPLE VII Table II 115 Styryl beryllium hy- 80 Divinyloxy benzene dride 70 Trivmyloxy benzene 39 Ethyl beryllium hydri 130 Trivinyloxy naphthade lene 53 Propyl beryllium hy- 130 Divinyloxy eyclohexane dride 15 Trivinyloxy benzene 190 Divinyloxy eyelohexane 20 'lriallyoxy propane 220 2,7-Diallyoxy octane 3O 2,4,7-Triallyloxy octane 87 Phenyl beryllium hydride 83 Cyclohexyl beryllium hydride EXAMPLE VHI Various mixtures indicated in Table HI below are treated according to the following procedure. The mixture is heated in 150 parts of hexane, in each case, under a blanket of nitrogen under reflux for two hours. Then the hexane is slowly distilled off and, in accordance with the corresponding increase in reflux temperature, the temperature is gradually increased to 70-80 C., and maintained at that temperature for approximately five hours, Then, the temperature is gradually increased to 120- 130 C. for a period of 72 hours. A solid product is obtained in each case and upon processing as in Example I, each product exhibits excellent burning and thrust properties.

Table III 11 Beryllium hydride 166 Divinyloxy eyclohexene l1 Beryllium hydride 67 Diethyl beryllium ll Beryllium hydride 25 Propyl beryllium hydride 120 Vinyloxy cyclohexene 6O Diviuyloxy cyclohexene 190 1,7-Divinyloxy octane 100 1,4,7-Trivinyloxy octane ll Beryllium hydride Aluminum hydride 11 Beryllium hydride 120 Diallyl other 130 Divinyloxy benzene 25 Tris(beta-ethoxy-etliyl)- borane 8 EXAMPLE 1X A solution of 120 parts p-vinyloxy-phenyl acetylene in 100 parts of cyclohexane is maintained under an atmosphere of nitrogen and at a temperature of 5055 C. while a solution of 20 parts of beryllium hydride in 100 parts of ether, also under a blanket of nitrogen, is dropped .into the cyclohexane solution at such a rate that no more than a 5 rise in temperature occurs. When the tempera ture rises above 60 C., the beryllium hydride solution 'is cut oil or the rate of addition is reduced until the EXAMPLE X A solution of 11 parts of distyryl beryllium and 15 parts of a solid, soluble polymer of para-vinyloxy styrene in 100 parts of toluene, is heated in an atmosphere of nitrogen at 50 C. for one hour. Then the temperature is raised to 70 C. for two hours, and thereafter refluxed for five hours. The toluene is then distilled off and the reaction mixture heated at 120-130 C. for 24 hours. The solid product is washed with heptane to extract traces of unconverted distyryl beryllium. The washed product is more stable in air than the ordinary organo-beryllium compounds which oxidize and burn in air. The resultant product is ground with an equal weight of ammonium perchlorate. The resultant mixture, when ignited, burns very rapidly with an intense white flame, and when tested according to known tests for propellant thrust, shows excellent thrust properties.

EXAMPLE XI The procedure of Example X is repeated, using 16 parts of a solid, soluble polymer of p-allyloxy-styrene, in place of the vinyloxy-styrene. The product shows similar burning and thrust properties.

EXAMPLE XII The following procedure is repeated three times using 100 parts of diallyl ether polymer, 120 parts of divinyl benzene-divinyl ether copolymer (-20 mole ratio) and 160 parts p-vinyloxy-styrene polymer respectively. In each case the polyunsaturated polymer dissolved in 100 parts of benzene, together with any catalyst or modifier, is maintained under an atmosphere of nitrogen at a temperature of 5055 C. A solution of 11 parts of beryllium hydride in 100 parts of other is dropped into the reaction mixture covered by a blanket of nitrogen, at such a rate that no more than a 5 percent rise in temperature occurs. When the temperature rises above 60 C. the beryllium hydride solution supply is cut off or reduced until the temperature has subsided to the desired range. During this addition period, the ether is allowed to vaporize from the reaction mass. After all the solution has been added, the heating is continued for a period of two hours, after which the temperature is raised to the solvent reflux temperature for a period of ten hours. Then the solvent is distilled off and heating continued at C. for an additional 15 hours. The resultant product in each case shows excellent burning and thrust properties.

EXAMPLE XIII A solution of 20 parts of ethyl beryllium hydride, 150 parts of p-allyloxy styrene, 10 parts of styrene and 150 parts of benzene is heated under an atmosphere of nitrogen at 50 C. for one hour, then at 70 C. for two hours, then refluxed for five hours, following which the benzene is distilled OE and the reaction mixture heated at C. for 48 hours. Excellent burning and thrust properties are exhibited when the product is tested.

In accordance with the preceding, specific Y groups are illustrated below as repeating units given for polymers prepared in the various examples above. For example, the polymer of Example I has repeating units of the formula BeC H OC H OC H The polymer of Example IV has a repeating unit of the formula BeC H OC- H The polymer of Example V has a repeating unit of the formula BeC H -OC H In Example VI the polymer derived from divinyloxy toluene has a repeating unit of the formula that derived from divinyloxy diphenyl has the repeating unit structure BeC H OC H OC H that derived from the diallyl ether of ethylene glycol has a repeating unit structure of BeC H OCH CH OC H and that derived from diallyloxy benzene has a repeating unit structure Of --BeC3H5OC H4OC H--.

In Example VII, the polymer derived from divinyloxy cyclohexene has a repeating unit of the formula and that derived from diallyloxy octane has the repeating unit stucture The polymer of Example IX has a repeating unit of the formula The polymer of Example XIII has a repeating unit of the formula -BC -C3H30C6H4C2H4- The polymerization described herein can be suspended at an early stage to give low-melting, solid polymers, or in some cases viscous oils, which can be stored as such and the polymerization reaction continued at a subsequent time. In fact, the reaction can be suspended when the product comprises substantially a monomeric product, such as, for example, that derived from a beryllium hydride compound and divinyl ether, namely:

RBeCH CI-I OCH CH or Be(CH CH OCH=CH and the polymerization completed later by the application of heat, or the addition of beryllium hydride compounds, or other reagents, catalysts, modifiers, etc.

Various modifiers can be added to the compositions of this invention after the polymerization is completed, and in cases where the modifiers are nonreactive with the beryllium hydride compounds, can be added prior to the initiation of the polymerization, or at some intermediate stage. Hydrocarbon materials, such as various hydrocarbon resins, e.g., polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutenes, parafiins, etc., can be added at any time. Certain other resins that might influence the reaction, or be reduced, or reacted upon by the beryllium hydride compound, such as those containing ester, amide, or other functional groups, can be added after the polymers are formed. However, if suflicient beryllium hydride compound is added to compensate for that used in such side reactions, such resins can often be added before or during the reaction. Typical resins include, polyethers, such as polymeric vinyl ethyl ether, polymeric vinyl butyl ether, etc.; polyesters, such as polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl propionate, polyvinyl butyrate, polymethyl methacrylate, polymethyl acrylate, etc.; polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl butyral, etc.; polyacrylonitrile, polyamides, such as nylon and polymeric caprolactam, etc.

Various other polyunsaturated compounds, or acety- 10 lenic compounds in addition to those indicated above, can also be added, either before initiation of the polymerization, at an intermediate stage, or at the completion of the polymerization reaction to modify the properties of the products. With regard to the esters, etc., reactive with beryllium hydride compounds, the same comments apply as made above with respect to resins having ester groups, etc. Such polyunsaturated compounds include: polyunsaturated hydrocarbons, polyunsaturated esters, polyunsaturated ether-esters, and various alkenyl aluminum compounds formed by the addition of aluminum alkyls to polyalkenyl hydrocarbon or ether compounds, such as methyl-dibutenyl aluminum, tris(vinyloxyethyl) aluminum, etc., and the corresponding boron and magnesium derivatives.

Typical examples of such polyunsaturated compounds include, but are not restricted to, the following: 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl butadiene, pentadiene-l,3, hexadiene-2,4, octadiene-2,4, hexatriene-1,3,5, 2-phenylbutadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, hexadiene-1,5, 2,4-dimethylpentadiene-l,3, vinyl cyclohexene, l-phenyl-pentadiene- 1,3, divinyl cyclohexane, diallyl, 1,6-heptadiene, 1,8-nonadiene, 2,8-decadiene, 2,9-dimethyl-2,S-decadiene, divinyl cyclopentane, divinyl methyl cyclohexane, dipentenyl cyclohexane, allyl cyclohexene, diallyl cyclohexene, divinyl cyclohexene, (beta-vinylalkyl)-furane, (beta-allyl-ethyl)- furane, diallyl cyclohexane, diallyl cyclopentane, dibutenyl cyclohexane, 1,7-diphenyl-heptadiene-1,6, 2,7-diphenyloctadiene-1,7, divinyl benzene, trivinyl benzene, divinyl naphthalene, trivinyl naphthalene, divinyl diphenyl, trivinyl diphenyl, divinyl toluene, trivinyl toluene, divinyl xylene, divinyl anisole, divinyl ethyl benzene, divinyl chlorobenzene, divinyl methylnaphthalene, divinyl ethylnaphthalene, divinyl methyldiphenyl, divinyl ethyldiphenyl, divinyl ethoxy naphthalene, divinyl chloronaphthalene, divinyl chlorodiphenyl, divinyl ethoxy diphenyl, vinyl isopropenyl benzene, vinyl isopropenyl naphthalene, vinyl isopropenyl diphenyl, vinyl isopropenyl toluene, vinyl isopropenyl anisole, vinyl isopropenyl chlorobenzene, vinyl isopropenyl methoxy naphthalene, vinyl isopropenyl chloronaphthalene, vinyl isopropenyl methyl chloronaphthalene, vinyl isopropenyl chlorodiphenyl, vinyl isopropenyl methoxy diphenyl, vinyl isobutenyl benzene, vinyl isobutenyl naphthalene, vinyl isobutenyl diphenyl, vinyl allyl benzene, vinyl allyl naphthalene, vinyl allyl diphenyl, vinyl allyl toluene, vinyl allyl anisole, vinyl allyl methylnaphthalene, vinyl allyl chlorodiphenyl, diallyl benzene, triallyl diphenyl, diallyl toluene, diallyl xylene, diallyl chlorobenzene, diisopropenyl benzene, diisopropenyl naphthalene, diisopropenyl diphenyl, diisopropenyl toluene, diisopropenyl anisole, diisopropenyl methyl naphthalene, diisopropenyl chlorodiphenyl, dimethallyl benzene, dimethallyl naphthalene, dimethallyl diphenyl, bis-(alphaethyl-ethenyl)-benzene, bis (alpha-vinyl-ethyl)-benzene, bis-(alpha-vinyl-ethyl) naphthalene, bis (alpha vinylethyl)-diphenyl, vinyl (alpha-vinyl-ethyl)-benzene, vinyl (alpha vinyl ethyl) naphthalene, vinyl (alpha vinylethyl)-diphenyl, dipropenyl benzene, p-propenyl styrene, para-propenyl isopropenyl-benzene, dicrotyl benzene, dicrotyl naphthalene, dicrotyl diphenyl, dicrotyl anisole, dicrotyl xylene, bis-(4-vinyl-n-butyl)-benzene, vis-(S-isopropenyl-h-hexyl)-benzene, bis-(S-isopropenyl-n-hexyl) diphenyl, bis-(S-methyl-hepten-S-yl)-benzene, bis-(S-methyl-nonen-6-yl)-diphenyl, bis-(n-decen-S-yl)-to1uene, dicyclopentenyl-naphthalene, di-cyclohexenyl-benzene, acetylene, allene, methyl acetylene, vinyl acetylene, phenyl acetylene, phenylene diacetylene, naphthalene diacetylene,

napthyl acetylene, cyclohexyl acetylene, allyl acrylate, allyl methacrylate, vinyl acrylate, vinyl methacrylate, isopropenyl acrylate, isopropenyl methacrylate, butenyl acrylate, butenyl methacrylate, vinyl crotonate, allyl crotonate, isopropenyl crotonate, propenyl crotonate, isobutenyl crotonate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylene glycol diacrylate, tetramethylene glycol diacrylate, pentamethylene glycol dimethacrylate, divinyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, diisopropenyl phthalate, dibutenyl phthalate, divinyl diphenyl-dicarboxylate, diallyl naphthalene-dicarboxylate, diallyl itaconate, divinyl itaconate, divinyl maleate, diallyl maleate, diallyl succinate diisopropenyl succinate, dibutenyl succinate, divinyl succinate, diallyl adipate, divinyl adipate, diallyl azelate, divinyl azelate, diisopropenyl suberate, divinyl pimelate, diallyl glutarate, diisopropenyl glutarate, divinyl sebacate, diallyl sebacate, diallyl japanate, divinyl octadecanedioate, vinyl ll-acryloxy-undecanoate, allyl l1-methacryloxy undecanoate, isopropenyl S-crotonoxy-caproate, vinyl 4-acryloxy-caproate, vinyl 11- vinyloxy-undecanoate, allyl ll-allyloxy-undecanoate, vinyl ll-allyloxy undecanoate, isopropenyl ll-isopropenyloxyundecanoate, vinyl -vinyloxy-caproate, vinyl S-crotyloxycaproate, vinyl S-allyloxy-caproate, allyl 5-allyloxy-caproate, isopropenyl 5-isopropenyloxy-caproate, vinyloxytetramethylene acrylate, allyloxy-hexamethylene methacrylate, allyloxy-octamethylene crotonate, isopropenyloxy-octamethylene acrylate, crotyloxy-hexamethylene methacrylate, ethyl diallyl aluminum, propyl dibutenyl aluminum, butyl dibutenyl aluminum, tributenyl borane, tetrabutenyl diborane, dibutenyl magnesium, diallyl magnesium, triallyl borane, etc.

In addition to the polyalkenyl types of aluminum, magnesium, and boron compounds indicated above, it is desirable in some cases to add monoalkenyl aluminum, magnesium, and boron compounds, and to continue replacement of the remaining hydrogen or saturated hydrocarbon groups on the beryllium by means of the polyalkenyl compounds, or by such compounds which have already partially reacted with beryllium. By these techniques both beryllium and aluminum, magnesium, or boron, can be incorporated in polymeric materials.

For many purposes, such as fuel, it is desirable to have a high concentration of the beryllium polymeric units present in the compositions. In such cases, the modifiers are used in minor amounts. However, in certain cases, it may be desirable to use the beryllium compositions to modify or fortify the properties of other materials, in which case the beryllium derivatives are used in minor amounts.

As indicated above, the beryllium polymers of this invention are particularly useful as solid fuels. They can be used as the main fuel component, or can be added to various types of other fuels to fortify or supplement such fuels. For example, they can be used as additives to gasoline and other motor fuels, to kerosene and other materials used for turbojet engines, and jet engines, and can be added to liquid and solid propellant fuels used for rockets, missiles, etc. However, these polymeric compositions are particularly useful as the main fuel component in solid propellant fuels used for rockets and related devices. In such latter cases, it is advantageous to convert the fuel to an infusible form. If modifiers, or auxiliary agents are to be added, this can be effected before conversion to infusibility. Depending on the particular manner in which the fuel is to be used, it can be in solution, powder, rod, cylinder, or whatever other shape is convenient.

While such products should be made and stored under inert atmospheres, it is surprising that considerable amounts of oxidizing agents can be incorporated into these polymeric compositions and can be stored in inert atmospheres without danger of premature ignition or explosion. After the desired amount of oxidizing agent has been incorporated into the polymeric composition, it can be converted to an infusible form by various means, including the addition of more beryllium hydride compounds, or the addition of ether to catalyze further beryllium-ethylenic addition, the application of moderate heating for similiar addition, or effecting crosslinking through the unsaturated groups themselves by heat alone, or by the addition of peroxy, azo, or other free radical-generating catalysts, or by any other means of crosslinking.

Such fuel compositions having oxidizing agents incorporated therein are described in greater detail and covered in applicants copending application Serial No. 141,015, filed on the same date herewith.

While certain features of this invention have been described in detail with respect to various embodiments thereof, it will, of course, be apparent that other modifications can be made Within the spirit and scope of this invention, and it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact details shown above except insofar as they are defined in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:

l. A polymer consisting predominantly of a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having formula Be-Y- wherein Y is a polyvalent radical consisting of hydrocarbon and ether oxygen, said valencies extending from hydrocarbon portions thereof.

2. A polymer having a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having the formula 3. A polymer having a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having the formula 4. A polymer having a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having the formula 5. A polymer having a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having the formula 6. A polymer having a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having the formula 7. A polymer having a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having the formula 8. A polymer having a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having the formula 9. A polymer having a plurality of repeating units in the polymer molecule thereof having the formula 10. A process for the preparation of a polymeric composition having a plurality of beryllium atoms in the polymer molecules thereof, comprising the step of reacting at a temperature of at least 50 C. a beryllium compound with at least one ether compound having only ether and hydrocarbon groups therein, and being selected from the class consisting of (l) ether compounds having one acetylenic group therein and (2) ether compounds having a plurality of unsaturated groups therein selected from the class consisting of ethylenic and acetylenic groups, said beryllium compound being selected from the class consisting of beryllium hydrides and derivatives thereof having only aromatic, saturated aliphatic and saturated cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon substituent groups therein, and said hydrocarbon substituent groups having no more than 24 carbon atoms per substituent group.

11. The process of claim 10 in which said ether compound has a plurality of groups therein selected from the class consisting of vinyl and vinylidene groups.

12. The process of claim 11 in which said ether compound is divinyl ether.

13. The process of claim 10 in which said ether compound has a terminal acetylenic group.

14. The process of claim 13 in which said ether is a propargyl ether.

15. A process of claim 10 in which said ether compound is a polymer having a linear carbon chain with unsaturated groups connected to said linear chain through ether linkages, said unsaturated groups being selected from the class consisting of ethylenic and acetylenic groups.

16. A process of claim 10 in which said beryllium compound is beryllium hydride.

17. A process of claim 10 in which said beryllium 14 compound is a hydrocarbon-substituted beryllium hydride.

18. A process of claim 10 in which said beryllium compound is an alkyl-substituted beryllium hydride.

19. A process of claim 10 in which said beryllium compound is dialkyl beryllium.

No references cited. 

1. A POLYMER CONSISTING PREDOMINATLY OF PLURALITY OF REPEATING UNITS IN THE POLYMER MOLECULE THEREOF HAVING FORMULA -BE-Y- WHEREIN Y IS A POLYVALENT RADICAL CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBON AND ETHER OXYGEN SAID VALENCIES EXTENDING FROM HYDROCARBON PORTIONS THEREOF. 